Honestly, I never thought today would come.
Not the date, that’s a given. Not Wednesday, that’s just…Monday III. No, when I say that I never expected today to come, I mean this post. Right now. Right here. Me, celebrating the second anniversary of the date that I pressed “publish” on my first ever post.
Last year, on my first blogiversary, I talked about how much I deliberated before I started my blog. And I discussed how utterly amazed I was when people started to come, to read, and to cook.
And over the last 12 months, my amazement has grown, just like the blog. It’s amazing how many of you come visit my tiny little corner of the internet. I’m awed and flattered to be a part of so many of your kitchens.
It’s been a crazy year. Crazy good, really. Some folks have taken notice of my little blog. I’ve met some amazing friends, both fellow bloggers and readers. I’ve started to work as a freelance food and product photographer. I’ve baked a ton of cookies.
And here we are. Two years in, and I am loving the blogging life. I love hearing from readers. I love seeing pictures of your creations based on my recipe. I love discovering that your parties, holidays and special occasions are made even more special by my recipes. Baking, cooking, photographing…it takes on a new life when I have you all behind me. I never thought I would keep at this for so long, but I did. You know why? Because you come. So I’d like to say:
And of course, keep coming back!
(Scroll past the recipe for the giveaway info!)
Chocolate Sugar Cookies for Decorating:
By Miriam Pascal, OvertimeCook.Com
Adapted slightly from Brown Eyed Baker
Ingredients:
6 cups flour
1 1/4 cups cocoa powder
2 cups (4 sticks) margarine or butter
2 cups sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions:
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and cocoa. Set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer over medium speed, cream together the margarine and sugars until smooth and creamy, a couple of minutes.
Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and beat until combined.
Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the flour mixture. Beat just until combined. Do not overmix.
Remove the dough from the bowl and separate into 3 sections. Place each section in a bag in the fridge and let chill for at least an hour, and up to a day.
When ready to bake:
Preheat oven to 325. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Roll out the dough between two pieces of parchment paper. (Do not use flour as it will show up against the chocolate.) Roll the dough to about 1/4 of an inch. Don’t roll too thin or the stick will not fit properly in the cookie.
Cut shapes of your choice out of the cookie dough. Place cookie on the tray and gently push a stick into the cookie.
Bake at 325 for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to cool completely before decorating.
Decorating Shortcut:
This is my favorite way to decorate sugar cookies, because it is super easy but still looks gorgeous! Nobody has to know…
Tools:
Food paintbrush
light corn syrup
colored sanding sugar
Method:
Brush a thin layer of corn syrup over the surface of the cookie. Pour sanding sugar on top. Turn it over and shake gently to remove the excess sugar. Yes, it’s that simple!
Playing around: To line it with another color, pipe royal icing (using a #2 piping tip) around the edge and immediately dip into contrasting color. You can also play around with patterns and designs by coating only a part at a time with corn syrup, then decorating other parts of the cookie with a contrasting color sugar.
Giveaway Details – THREE Winners:
One of the things that I have been enjoying lately, that has also improved my knowledge and skills in the kitchen, is my subscription to a number of food related magazines. So in honor of my blogiversary, and to thank you all for reading, I want to share the fun with 3 of my lucky readers.
Three winners will win a 2 year subscription to one of the following magazines that I subscribe to and love – winner’s choice!
-Bon Appetit Magazine
-Saveur Magazine
-Taste of Home Magazine
How to Enter:
Please note: Each entry requires its own comment! Multiple entries in one comment will only be counted once!
You can enter as many of the following as you wish:
Entry #1 – Leave a comment on this post telling me how you found the blog, what your favorite recipe is, how long you’ve been reading, or really anything. I want to hear from you!
Entry #2 – Follow @OvertimeCook on twitter and leave a comment on this post telling me that you did.
Entry # 3- Like Tales of an Overtime Cook on Facebook and leave a comment on this post telling me that you did.
Entry # 4 – Follow @OvertimeCook on Pinterest and leave a comment on this post telling me that you did.
Entry # 5 – Subscribe to OvertimeCook via email (link is on the right sidebar of the blog). and leave a comment on this post telling me that you did.
Entry #6 – Follow Overtime Cook on Instagram and leave a comment on this post telling me that you did.
(If you already follow, like, subscribe, etc, that’s fine. Just comment and tell me so!)
Details: Giveaway is sponsored by me. Eligible to anyone with a US mailing address. Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Thursday, August 15th. Winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Must include valid email address to enter.
As always, thanks for stopping by! Hope you all enter the giveaway…good luck! Come back soon! -Miriam
I love your blog. I am one of your earliest fans. I am so impressed by your professional growth and your talent. May you have many more years of successful blogging.
Wow they look amazing!
I wish you all the best and many blogversaries, your work is stunning 🙂
I recently discovered your blog on Tisha B’Av when my friend and I were recipe searching online. I fell in love with your salad dressing and the pomegrante chicken salad.
I also subscribe to overtime cook through email.
I’ve been following you practically since you started. I love seeing what you bake, what ideas you come up with around the chagim, and how you style everything for the photos.
I like Overtime Cook on fb.
I’m an email subscriber.
I found your website while looking for new supper ideas. I ended up taking a shot and making that night the black bean burger recipe with zucchini fries. Shockingly enough, my husband eat them both and really enjoyed! Ever since I have been following your blog!
following on Instagram!
i like you on fb
i subscribe to your emails
You told me about the overtime cook website. #justsaying
I sub to your emails!!
I follow you guys on twitter!!
Iliked facebook
Still do not do pin!
Following on Instagram!
Follow on the Facebook !!
I subscribe to overtime cook on email
I love your blog! You always have such wonderful recipes shown with beautiful pictures 🙂
This post is amazing, Miriam, and is my new official favorite 🙂 When I first started blogging, I didn’t really follow any other blogs and you were one of the first I followed!!!
I follow you on Twitter
I follow you on Facebook
I follow you on Instagram
Found your blog through what’s for supper & I love it! Keep up the good work 🙂
I LOVE you on Facebook, have for some time already 🙂
I found out about your blog through a fb cooking group:)
I follow you on fb
I am signed up to your emailing list
I follow you on Instagram!
Found you through Kitchen Tested
like you on facebook
follow you on pinterest
I’m not sure how I found your blog, but I’m really glad I did! Happy 2nd blogiversary!
I follow you on Twitter.
I like you on Facebook.
I follow you on Pinterest.
I’m an email subscriber.
I am e-mail subscriber
Followed you on pinterest
Found you through the AMI and imamother together.
I am an email subscriber
I follow you on pinterest
I like your page on Facebook
Happy Second Blogiversary!! I love your recipes!
Happy Birthday overtime cook!!!!!! These look awesome. Would love to try. Oh and yeah, I LOVE THIS BLOG!!!!!!
I was just on the Internet and chanced upon your blog,I use it almost every day…..I share it with everyone and love everything about it:).i subscribed to receive the emails and like you on Facebook.
Happy second! I already follow you on Instagram. I am fairly new to your blog (found you by searching for #ninedays recipes) and so I don’t really have a favorite recipe yet, but it must be said- your photography is gorgeous! I backtracked to some older posts, and the really cool part is that you can see your growth through the pics there just as much as (if not more obvious than) your recipes! You go, girl.
…and now I am following you on Pinterest, too! 🙂
And I also subscribe to your rss feed.
love your blog!
I’m an email subscriber
I enjoy reading your column in the magazine
Happy anniv! love your blog, my fave is pastrami stuffed shells, mock breaded cauliflower, roasted veg chickpea salad!
liked you on Fb
Happy second blogiversary!
I know I should come back here every time I try something and I love it, and let you know. I don’t always get to it…but I want to say how much I love your blog…and how I use so many of your recipes all the time. Thank you!
I have been following your blog for over a year- I think I came across your blog through a kosher blog connection on someone else’s page. I enjoy your creative baking recipes!
I follow you on pinterest
Happy Blogiversary to you! Only recently discovered your blog but love what I see. I can only hope to be as successful as you when I hit 2. Congrats!
I follow you on instagram
I follow you on twitter
I follow you on Facebook
I subscribe via email
I like you on FB
And follow you on Pinterest. Happy Blogiversary again!
I have done all entries except the Instagram since I don’t have that.
I have been reading your blog for a couple weeks now.
I love so many of your recipes but I think my favorite is your 2 ingredient fudge. I built on it (not that it
Needed tampering) to make s’mores fudge. I made a graham cracker crust and put the fudge on that. Topped with marshmallows once set and thrown under the broiler for 2 minutes and it was insanely good! Thanks for being a site full of recipes I can count on to be tried and true.
I discovered you on Twitter. Best recipe was Passover chocolate cake.
I follow on Twitter
I like the page on Facebook.
I subscribe to the blog on email.
I found your blog on facebook through an awesome cooking group that you are a part of.
I already like you on facebook.
I already get your email.
1. I found you thru Fb
2. I just liked u on Fb
3. I just followed u on Instagram
4. I’m following u on Pinterest
Thanks !
I’ve been following for about 1 year. I found you through mutual friends. My family loves the zebra cake!
Liked on Facebook
Subscribed to your email
Follow on Twitter
You know how I found you!
Follow on Twitter and RT your stuff.
LOVE you on FB 🙂
I found you on Facebook and have been a big fan ever since! Everything I have made is amazing! My favorite cookie recipe has been the oatmeal peanut butter cookies. Yummmm
Totally Pinterest-ed too 🙂
I found you one lucky day on Facebook and have been a huge fan ever since that day. My favorite cookie recipe is the oatmeal peanut butter. Yummmm
I found your blog via facebook and love it. I have tried some of your cookies. Everything comes out great!
I follow you on facebook
I follow you on twitter
I follow you on Pinterest!
I already subscribe via email!
Hi! I liked you on FB, I very much enjoy going through your recipes, and sharing with freinds.. Your an amazing cook!!! Hatzlachu
I read your blog because your my best sis!! and cause I love your recipes!
i found your blog over a year ago, when I searched for kosher recipes
i like you on facebook
i follow you on pinterest
i follow you on instragram
I stumbled across your blog while searching online. I love great recipes — especially desserts! 🙂
I was sent to your blog from imamother.com and have been addicted ever since! Your recipes and pics are awesome, and your style of writing keeps me hooked!
I like you on fb
I follow you on pinterest
I subscribe to your emails
Happy two years! I love those cookies, perfect for the celebration. I cannot recall how I started reading your blog, but I am very glad I do!
I follow you on Twitter
I like you on Facebook
I follow you on Pinterest
Hey miriam- congrats on reaching such a milestone!! im not sure how i found out about the blog- but im so happy i did!! My favorite recipe has to be either the zuchinni sticks or the smashed potatoes. i luve your emails, fb posts, instagram pics. KEEP UP THE AMAZING WORK 🙂
Hi! So I found overtime cook on Instagram..my sister actually followed u and she told me to check u out!! So I just began following u a few months ago and I made so many things from the blog. Your chocolate chips cookies, broccoli kugel, cinnamon buns etc etc
Thanks for sharing!! Wishing u much success!
found your links on the WFS page. love your recipes, blog layout and photography. i’m not much of a commentor, but i’m a reader, baker and fan 🙂
i follow you on facebook
i follow you on pintrest
i signed up to receive emails
congratulations!
i subscribe via email
my favorite recipe was the onion rings
I have a recipe that I make time and again because people love the item and it is lemon squares that came from a cookbook from the preschool that I went to. It is easy but they taste delicious.
I liked on facebook
I followed you on twitter
I found the blog on facebook when one of my friends shared a post. I tried the caramal bundt and the strawberry & cream bundt. Both were delicious! Never before had I eaten anything as amazing.
#3- I follow on FB
I follow on instagram
I get ur emails!
Follow you on Pinterest!
I found you Googling for something; I don’t remember what! (probably a recipe). I only just found the blog today.
.
I like the Pesto Potato Pinwheels; this one: http://overtimecook.com/2012/10/11/pesto-potato-pinwheels/
I follow you on Twitter as @AnnaZed
margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com
I love your blog. Your recipes are awesome. You have enhanced my culinary skills. Thanks Miriam!
I like Tales of an Overtime Cook on Facebook where I am Margot Core
margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com
I follow @OvertimeCook on Pinterest where I am Margot Core
margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com
I Subscribe to OvertimeCook via email to this box:
margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com
I follow Overtime Cook on Instagram as @margotcore
margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com
I first found you on facebook, and then subscribed to your e-mails so that I don’t miss anything. You are an inspiration to those of us that hesitate in the kitchen. I always look forward to what you are up to next!
Here from the beginning! So proud of what this blog has turned into!
I think I’m one of the first ten fans – or if not at least a very early adopter :)! While I have no idea how I found your blog, I’m really happy that I did!!
Have been following you on twitter
and on pinterest
and liking you on facebook is how I find updates to your blog…
get your emails!
Now following you on instagram!
@OvertimeCook I’ve been following you on twitter since I created my account last year but was already reading your articles in the AMI. Funny as it sounds I enjoy reading your articles-rather than trying another cookie recipe! Hey, no mess to clean up after and no calories to burn! Mazel tov on this great milestone! Keep those entertaining articles and yummy recipes comin! Oh and favorite recipe (from
Happy blogiversary! Love your creativity and wonderful recipes. Thanks for the great giveaway.
Im following you on facebook!
Following you on pinterest too
Lovely idea and congratulations for the 2nd blogiversary! 🙂
found you on fb in the group “whats for supper”
best group ever
Following you on facebook!
follow you on instagram
I like you on facebook. great blog!!
liked on fb!
i follow u on fb! awesome recipes
I don’t remember when I started reading your blog but I love your posts and all the food looks yum! Some of my favorites that I have made are the marinated grilled chicken, zucchini fries, red velvet cookies, and the smore’s cheesecake.
Follow you on:
1) instagram
2) pinterest
3) facebook
4) subscribed to the email list
Love your blog! Congrats on 2 years!!
i follow you on fb instagram and twitter. love your blog!!
Following you on instagram;)
sorry just saw abt multiple entries. trying again. I follow you on facebook
i follow u on twitter
i follow you on instagram
i follow u on pinterest
So excited to try so many of these awesome recipes! Finally signed up!
I just found your blog today great recipes caramel bundt sounds super yummy.
I follow you on Facebook … Entry 1 🙂
Love your page!!
I Love your blog! So many amazing recipes to choose from…my favorite one is my most recent one the no bake lemon cheesecake mousse cups. I made them for a freinds auf ruf and everyone loved them! Thanks for all your hard work 🙂
Hi. I heard about your blog from my sister. She follows you and now so do I. My favorite recipes are the roasted red pepper chickepea salad and the mock breaded cauliflower. My husband always hated cauliflower. Now, I have to double the recipe so some of it can end up on the table before we serve it. 🙂
Happy blog anniversary!!!!!!! i found u on fb (whats for supper) i love all ur recipes that i tried!but the zebra bundt cake my family loves best!!!!!!!
Hi I liked tales of an overtime cook on fb
I love your blog and my favorite recipe is the commons buns with the cream cheese frosting. congratulations on a job well done!
Sorry cinnamon buns
I follow you on Facebook
I am signed up to type email and I read every one!
Happy second blogiversary.
I love ur red velvet bundt cake family favorite
Like your page on Facebook
I’m subscribed to ur blog via email
I wanted add heard about your blog from my sister
I found your blog by following a very tasty recipe: it was the grilled zucchini. Very yummy! I am following you on twitter and Pinterest. Love your blog and love the Facebook page. Keep up the good work, I am looking forward to many more recipes. I am rookie in the kitchen and you inspire me.
A friend sent me a link to your blog, now I’m hooked. Always fun to find new recipes – I have a bunch saved for yomtov, but I especially love your bundt cakes
I follow you on pinterest.
I liked you on facebook
I get your emails
Happy 2nd blogiversary, Miriam! You shouldn’t be surprised at all that you have such a loyal, enthusiastic following – your blog rocks and everything you make is amazing. Your cookies look incredible – I love how you shaped and photographed them. Here’s to many more years of blogging!
I found your blog cuz I know you and I know you do unbelievable things in the kitchen. Happy blogiversary! 😀
And I follow you on Facebook. 🙂
Love ur blog! Discovered it thru Facebook I think. Love the zuchinni sticks
Follow u on Facebook
Follow u on Instagram
Subscribe to ur email
I found your blog via Facebook – for the life of me I can’t remember who “shared” one of your posts, but I’m so glad they did!
And I now follow you on Facebook myself 🙂
I love your blog! I’m a newly wed, and so I’m always looking for new ways to wow my new husband in the kitchen and your blog has definitely helped with that. My favorite recipes? I’m partial to all of the cookies myself 🙂 Thanks for your awesome blog!
Following you on Twitter!
Following you on Facebook!
Following you on Pinterest!
Subscribed to your email!
Hi! Love your blog! I follow you on both instagram and pintrest!
I think there was a link to it on imamother
I subscribe to OvertimeCook via RSS feed – does that count
I’m a WordPress follower. Old school, huh? Am I the only WordPress follower on here?
I just discovered your blog. Very nice!
My favorite recipe is anything with deep dark chocolate!
I found your blog on More Quiche Please.
I don’t remember how I found you, but I’ve been a fan for at least a year now and loved the journey!
I follow you on Twitter
I follow you on facebook
I follow you on instagram!
I love the baked onion rings, pretzel crusted chicken, healthy muffins, chocolate chip cookies, and Asian chicken salad
I follow you on facebook
I subscribe to your emails
I follow you on instagram
Hi!
I’m on your Instagram now.
Pick me. I love you. You love me. We ” met” on twitter and it was blogger love at first sight. ha ha ha!!!!!
I follow you on twitter. Duh ha ha
I like your FB page. Obvi
I follow your pinterest boards!
I subscribe to your blog. One of the few that I do. You should feel honored. ha ha
I stalk you I mean I follow you on instagram
Congratulations!
Love your blog, thanks for sharing all those delicious recipes!
Congratulations miriam on successful 2 yr blogging! You’re a great inspiration to all us home cooks showing us that cooking can -and should be fun and interesting.
My favorite recipe is your cream cheese coffee crumb cookies. I just made another batch of them!
May you have many many more great blogging years!
I follow you on facebook
FOUND the blog? Honey, I was your doula when it was born. Do I need to rehash that to get a magazine now? But who needs magazines when we have blogs? Keep it going!
And of course I like you on facebook. I like you wherever you are.
I am pretty sure I’m a pinterest follower too. Though I don’t really use pinterest. You ALMOST got me into it.
I also follow you on Twitter!
Happy 2 years!! I believe you found me first through my guest post at Big Fat Baker. And I’m glad you did because your friendship means so much to me. Who else can I text about photo shoots 😉
PS I’m so entering the giveaway so I can extend my subscription 😉
Congratulations on your blogiversary! I wish I could tell you how I originally found your blog, but I don’t remember. It’s been a while, and I’ve switched email addresses I subscribed with, so I can’t even go back and check. I like reading your posts, and have plans to make your Blueberry Cupcakes later this month using those delicious tiny wild blueberries that grow everywhere here in Maine.
I follow @OvertimeCook on Twitter (@NotherAnneOther).
I like Tales of an Overtime Cook on Facebook (Anne Other).
I’m also a follower of Overtime Cook on Pinterest (Anne Other).
Last but not least, and as I mentioned in my first comment, I’m an email subscriber to your blog, too, using the email address I’m commenting with.
Sorry, but I don’t have a smartphone so I can’t do Instagram. Which is too bad, because I love your photographs.
Hi I love this blog and follow it regularly, I make the two color zuccini side dish all the time, and the roasted green beens, my all time favorite cookie is the creamsicle ice cream sandwiches that wher in ami last summer,
i love your blog and have tried several recipes (everything except baked goods, so that’s kind of a waste.) my favorite by far is the caesar dressing and pastrami chicken. while i know that’s a guest post, the pictures are what drew me and also shows you know whom to host.
I follow you on FB
I subscribe to your email and follow you on pinterest
A friend told me to check out your website bec. we went to the same high school. I have tried and liked many of your recipes, but my favorites would probably have to be the creamy basil dip and jalapeno dip! I make them every week for Shabbos and even had to bring them along when we went on vacation last week!
hey just saw that Pinterest is it’s own entry!
Hi Miriam!
I love your blog- your ideas are always so creative and beautiful looking- and Im always looking for recipes for special occasions. I especially love your decorating guides and tutorials.
I started following your blog when you told me about it!
(took some time for you to remember to tell me, though….)
and I love it…. and you!
Happy blogiversary, Miriam! When there is quality content like your posts (recipes and photos), people find you and stay. Thank you for sharing your delicious recipes and photos with your readers! Blogging is fun, but I think the very best part is the community, bloggers and readers. 🙂
These cookies are adorable! What a great way to make edible decorations for a cake or cupcake!!
like your page on facebook 🙂
and i think i found your blog through another blog i follow – i am not sure which one right now…
I found your blog through kitchen tested. My favorite recipe is your flour less chocolate cookies. I already follow you on Facebook and twitter
I love following you, u have fresh great ideas. Happy anniversary…..here’s to many more……
I follow you on fb, instagram and pinterest 🙂 I found your blog through the ami… love your column!!
Those cookies look fabulous!
Following on twitter!
Liked on facebook!
Following on Pinterest!
I don’t remember when I found your blog, but I’m sure glad I did. I love your recipes, and your photographs are amazing! I even saved your web page as an app on my screen. Congrats to another year of blogging success! Wishing you many more.
I follow you on twitter
I liked you on facebook
I follow you on Pinterest
I follow you on Instagram
I have been following your blog since the very beginning. The recipes are fantastic, the posts are entertaining, and the photos are beautiful!!
Congrats on this milestone and all the best! You are amazing:)
I’m a new follower of your blog. I found you through another blog-friend’s site.
Congrats on your blogiversary! I think I found your site by doing a google search for kosher recipes… it was so long ago, I can’t remember for sure. Love the decorated cookies!
I LOVE getting your emails, trying your recipes, and seeing your gorgeous pix!!! Keep them coming! Very Happy Blogiversarry!
My favorite is the red velvet cookies!
I follow you on Pinterest (and love your sense of humor there!) and subscribe to emails.
I love your healthy recipes….every time I tried one of them it always became a family favorite.
I like you on FB
I heard about your blog from a friend, and have been following ever since ! Probably for a year and a half! I love trying some of your recipes, and getting new, creative ideas !
I already follow you on twitter.
I get the emails already !
Good luck on your blog and all your culinary endeavors. Can’t wait to read more.
I follow u on Instagram and get ur emails!
Luv them
I follow you on instagram
I follow you on twitter
I follow you on pinterest
I liked your page on facebook
And I’ve been subscribed to your emails!
I honestly don’t even remember how I found your blog but I love your recipes – the zucchini sticks being my favorite!
Following you on intagram
Found out thru my sis in law!
Follow u on insta!
Pick me
Followed on twitter
Instagram also
I love reading your blog. have gotten so many compliments on the pepper dip